The Birth of a Nation (Epoch Producing,1915). One Sheet (28"
X 41").
Considered one of the most controversial and explicitly racist
films of the early twentieth century, Birth of a Nation is
also one of the most influential motion picture masterpieces.
Directed by D.W. Griffith at the height of his creativity, the film
broke ground in new cinematic innovations, technical effects and
artistic achievements that would influence feature films throughout
the century and for all time. When the film was released,
controversy fueled the box-office appeal and made it a major hit,
earning a whopping $18 million by the start of the talkies and
making it the top money maker until the release of Gone With the
Wind. Based on Rev. Thomas Dixon Jr's 1905 melodrama The
Clansman, the story deals with two families caught up in the
Civil War and its aftermath. With a cast that reads like a who's
who of silent era greats including Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh, Wallace
Reid, Donald Crisp and Henry B. Walthall, the film was selected for
preservation by the National Film Registry in 1992 and voted one of
the top 100 films by AFI. This wonderful condition one sheet has
never been used and has only the slightest bit of centerpoint wear
and separation. There is slight border wear with some minor fold
separation in the borders. Interestingly, the poster presents the
pivotal moment of Lincoln's assassination as John Wilkes Booth
jumps to the stage in Ford's theater. Booth was played by a young
Raoul Walsh, who would later go on to direct over 100 films. This
is a wonderful piece of film history and very rare in this
condition. Very Fine.

Today, I stand gladdened and honored that your staff members worked as though the collection was their own to return to the world. Congratulations on a job well done… strike that, add...for a job magnificently done.